BUBBA AND BEAU, BEST FRIENDS

A brand new baby and a newborn puppy find that they share the object of their affection—one very dirty blanket (and the object of their loathing)—soap. Chapter One features the arrival of Bubba to parents, Big Bubba and Mama Pearl. Wrapped in a tiny pink blanket, he is the “perfect Little Bubba.” Beau is born to hound dogs, Maurice and Evelyn in Chapter Two. Both arrivals cause a lot of noisy celebration. The two meet in Chapter Three to find that they have a lot in common. They both love getting around on all fours and chewing on things, and the find they love mud and hate to baths. Their friendship blossoms and includes a mutual love for Bubba’s dirty pink blanket. Everything seemed to be going well until Chapter Four, when Mama Pearl decides that the blanket needs a good washing. After a big commotion from both Beau and Bubba and a bath for each of them, Chapter Five finds that maybe they can live with the smell of soap. The similarities between baby and puppy in the comical illustrations make for an amusing tale of two unlikely friends. The chapter structure and decidedly Texan theme keep this from being just another sweet story about babies and puppies. A howling good time. (Picture book. 2-5)